Tag Archives: references

A TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DRESS FOR SUMMER PICNICS & OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

A TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DRESS FOR SUMMER PICNICS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Between the Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends in the United States – the traditional beginning and ending of “summer” and outdoor fun, there will be lots of picnics, barbecues, fun and games.

This dress makes me think of those times – maybe because the skirt looks a lot like the tablecloths used at Summer events. It’s simple, probably poly/cotton with a back metal zipper. Very casual wear from a time when women still wore dresses and skirts more often than pants or shorts.

In spite of its simplicity (or, probably because of it) it’s pretty and flattering. Trim around the neckline and armholes show that it’s nicely made. The material makes it easy to wash, so that mustard, ketchup, relish, mud and dog slobber will come right out.

Worth hanging onto for those events that come up every year. You just never know when you might be invited to a corn roast, a crab boil, a school picnic, an ice cream social, a parade, . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, the Magicvintagespy
blog address: Magicvintagespy.com

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book title: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com

A TRUE VINTAGE SHEER DAY DRESS, PROBABLY 1950’S

A TRUE VINTAGE SHEER DAY DRESS, PROBABLY 1950'S

This dress was custom-tailored at a time when sheer fabrics had become very popular. I’ve found several of these. Of course, you’d want an un-fussy slip underneath.

It’s a pretty print in pink and red on white voile, with a ruffle around the neck and little cap sleeves. Fifties styles tended to be, on average, more “feminine” than those designed in the 1940’s, when clothing was more tailored and, sometimes, even masculine in its lines. (Remember the huge shoulders popular then.)

These dresses give a lovely opportunity to show off beautiful lingerie but, as mentioned above, keep the slip simple – not full of lots of frills and details – so that it doesn’t overwhelm the dress itself. You’d also want it to be of the same length, and white.

I love to collect true vintage slips in all styles, lengths and colors so that I have the right one for every dress I own. Some are even great to wear as a summer dress by themselves!

Morgana Martin, the Magicvintagespy
Blog address: Magicvintagespy.com
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Book: How to Find the Best in Vintage Fashion available at Amazon.com

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S – EARLY 1960’S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S FLORAL SHEATH SUMMER DRESS

I absolutely love the flattering drape of this fitted dress! The fabric is a synthetic blend of some type, probably containing nylon.

During the late ’50’s and early ’60’s the lean sheath styles were very alluring, yet proper. That seems, to me, to be one of the best fashion qualities of lots of the true vintage styles.

This one goes from Spring, with a light jacket or sweater, right into Summer. The combination of green and blue was very popular in the early 1960’s for a year or two – so this one may come from that time.

So, a ladylike frock that can be worn almost anywhere – simple style and classic lines. It would look nice with white shoes.  Though the standard rule was “No white until after Memorial Day in the U.S. (last of May) and not after Labor Day (first Monday in September),  those rules don’t apply anymore so wear your white shoes whenever you like!

I’m not sure, but this dress might have come from Canada. Sometimes, with a closet the size of mine, you just never know . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960’S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER. ONE OF MY FIRST FINDS!

LOVELY TRUE VINTAGE EARLY 1960'S DAY DRESS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

From shopping, to work, to date – meeting or picnic, this dress is very simple, but stylish and feminine, too. In pale blue, there are two layers of fabric. The outer layer is somewhat sheer with embroidery all over.

The bodice has an interesting shape, with deep pleats along each side that give it some fullness and a cap sleeve effect. This frock definitely has style and could be dressed up or down – very versatile.

Many of the dresses from late ’50’s to early ’60s have elegant details like this. The form-fitting cut of that era seen in sheath dresses is so flattering! True vintage garments are rarely run-of-the-mill and often show these style surprises and very pleasing lines.

That’s one reason why they’re so much fun to find. Each one is a surprise and you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR

TRUE VINTAGE MID-1950s POUF-STYLE PARTY FROCK BY FRANK STARR

Another of my absolutely fabulous finds – fit for a princess at a party or Prom. This one is a quintessential 1950s pouf dress by Frank Starr, (of California, I believe) in a floral print.  He was a well-known designer at that time.

I’m always amazed at what I find, and this frock really turned the lights on! Organza over rayon or acetate, with a velvet-covered belt & the makers’ label on an inside seam.. In virtually perfect condition.

I can just see Elizabeth Taylor flouncing around in this in one of her movies, playing a young woman ready to go to a dance party.  Imitations are made, but true vintage can’t be replaced and it’s priceless, in my opinion.

This example can hardly compete with the one shown yesterday, or the day before. They are all wonderful and uniquely original. We’ll step backwards in time just a little bit tomorrow. What’s coming up until then? You just never know . . . . . . . .

Morgana Martin, the magicvintagespy
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A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

IMG_1479     Count on the McCall’s magazine to come up with everything! – including patterns for hand-crocheted or knitted dresses for all the women in your wedding party.  Unbelievable!!

Well, it would certainly have kept the cost down.  Many women did make their wedding gowns and attendants’ dresses in the past, or have them made, but usually the designs weren’t so labor-intensive as something like this.  Can you imagine, with everything else there is to do to prepare for a wedding?

So, that was life in the early 1950’s.   A lot simpler in some ways, a lot more tedious in others – but we’ve lost most of the elegance along the way.  We’ll keep stepping back in time with my latest finds . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

VERY RARE!! TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S – 1950’S SATIN WEDDING PUMPS

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These are the perfect shoes to be worn with the wedding suit shown yesterday.  Can you imagine a pair of white satin pumps at least 60 years old staying in this condition?  Who knows how long they were out of the original owner’s safekeeping?  Amazing!!   I found these beautiful fabric shoes clean enough to be worn again as is.

Fun ’40’s/’50’s styling and beautiful leather soles that make them good forever.  They also carry a mysterious story of a very special and formal occasion.  I wonder where and when it was . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

STELLA’S TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S 2-PIECE WEDDING SUIT

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This is the ensemble that Stella was wearing when I met her and I’m glad she didn’t want to give it up.  I’ll be showing some white satin 1940’s wedding pumps tomorrow.   Although they didn’t come with this outfit, they’d be just perfect with it!

During wartime, this was a relatively modest choice for her wedding and the bride probably had this suit custom-tailored.  Naturally, it has many of the 1940’s styling details which were popular then – shoulder pads, nipped peplum waist, a handkerchief hem and a rare coil metal zipper in the skirt.

Also, some of the favorite classic features of a wedding gown are also present – rows of tiny, covered buttons and medieval-style points on the sleeve hems.  The fabric is a substantial brocade/jacquard floral – not a high-end textile, but nice.  Clearly, this wedding took place in a formal setting.

I wonder about her hair . . . . bridesmaids?  Wouldn’t it be fun to go back as a guest? . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

AND, HERE’S MY EARLY 1960’S KENNEDY ERA WEDDING DRESS SURPRISE FIND

Isn’t she sweet?  The early Sixties were still so precious, with their knee-length princess dresses.  And, they brought shoulder tails back again for dressy frocks.  So unusual.  With sequins decorating the midriff, too . . . . . . . .

I’d be confused whether I was going to get married or going to the Prom . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFUL TRUE VINTAGE SILK FORMAL DRESS OR WEDDING GOWN FOUND IN AUSSIE-LAND

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThis frock is another of my stupendous finds in Australia!   Made somewhere between the 1940’s and 1950’s, it’s a gorgeous dress and I suspect that it really is from the Forties.

Looks like it’s hand-tailored, but by someone who was REALLY good.  The collar is reinforced with hidden wire that is soft to wear, but holds the shape and lets you reshape the neckline as needed –  an unusual tailoring feature that emphasizes the irreplaceable value and uniqueness of true vintage clothing and accessories.

It’s a demure style, despite the neckline plunge, and could be full-length on a petite figure.  I wonder if it was made as a wedding gown?   Although some were very fancy, many of that time did not have a lot of frill and fuss and were actually very tailored styles.

No matter what, I’m sure that this gown has at least one fabulous story to tell!  I wonder . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM